Rural Missouri is proud to welcome Missouri State Parks back as sponsor of the 8th annual Missouri Snapshots Photo Contest.

The rules for this year's contest are as follows:

1. Photographs must have been taken at one of Missouri’s state parks or historic sites. For a complete list of parks, visit www.mostateparks.com.

2. Photographs must depict activities that conform to Missouri State Parks rules and regulations.

3. The contest is for amateurs only. If you earn any income with your photography, please refrain from entering. Up to five photos per category can be entered, but no more than 15 photos total. Do not enter the same photo in more than one category.

4. All photographs must be entered online at:
www.ruralmissouri.coop/photocontest.php.

5. Entries must include information in all data fields. Omitting any may result in disqualification.

6. Photos that have been digitally altered beyond basic editing and toning will not be accepted.

7. Photographers may win no more than one first-place prize. Winning images from previous year’s Missouri Snapshots photo contests are ineligible.

8. Employees of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Missouri’s electric cooperatives and their immediate families are ineligible to win.

9. By entering the contest, photographers give Rural Missouri and Missouri State Parks permission to publish the images.

10. The deadline to enter is Oct. 31, 2018.

A first-, second- and third-place photograph will be selected in each category and published in the January 2019 issue of Rural Missouri. Entries will be judged on sharpness, composition, lighting, creativity and adherence to the category’s theme. This year's categories include:

1. Making Memories – S’mores with your granddaughter? A hike with your pup? Your first big catch? There are countless memories to be made with your loved ones while visiting any of the 88 state parks or historic sites.

2. Capture the Beauty – Missouri’s state parks and historic sites are blessed with an abundance of natural beauty: rolling prairies, rugged mountains and scenic rivers. Entries should capture scenes worthy of a postcard.

3. Discover the Past – From covered bridges and mills to the homes of famous Missourians, history is everywhere in Missouri’s state park system. Creatively photograph it and you could be a winner.

4. Fun on the Water – Whether it’s fishing, kayaking, sailing or swimming, Missouri’s state parks provide an endless variety of aquatic options. Take home the prize by capturing your day at the beach, riverbank or marina.

5. Where are You? (Selfie) – Everyone loves a selfie. Whether you use your selfie stick or just grab a shot of you and your family on a hike, the judges will be looking for fun, creative and unique snapshots of you enjoying the park system.